Jockey Rasheed Hughes Saturday signalled his intention to run away with this season’s jockeys’ championship after booting home a treble that included the feature at the Garrison Savannah.
Sitting astride the filly Javalier from post position No. 3, Hughes sat patiently in third position after the start of the 1 570 metres Regimental Historian’s Wedding Day Trophy Handicap before making his presence felt.
Banja and Justice League vied for the early lead, and after clearing the paddock turn, Banja took sole control before he found new company in his stablemate and favourite Javalier as they approached the three-furlong marker.
With a challenge now issued and Justice League on the rails weakening, Ceroc took closer order, moving into second place to mount his challenge. Javalier, who is by Janak out of Royal Cavalier, smoothly then went for home, leaving Banja struggling to stay in contention. Ceroc passed Banja in the stretch run on his way to collecting second place.
My Man Gone West, usually a back marker, travelled between beaten horses to take the third place ahead of a tired Banja, who went terribly wide into the homestretch.
Hughes started the day with a double strike on the Happy Mothers’ Day Race Day card.
Burbon Street, owned by Joanne Parravicino, made all the running, striding away from his six opponents which included the runner-up, Brigadier Lightnin’, in the 1 100 metres Mothers To Be Handicap.
Up next for the country’s leading jockey was the Single Moms Handicap, another 1 100 metres sprint – which saw Lollipop surge from the gates – en route to a workmanlike win from Too Much Bling.
Lollipop is a Jamaican-bred filly – out of Performing Magic out of Michelka – which is owned by The Rum Company.
Javalier, which is owned by Victor Syndicate and trained by Robert Peirce, formed a double on the card for the trainer, who won Race 6 with Cipriani.
Cipriani, an offspring by Rocamadour out of the mare La Chatelaine, is owned by Andrew Peirce. Her success in the Like A Mother To Me Handicap contested over 1 100 metres gave her a hat-trick of wins.
Amber Rush, a mare owned by Rhys Odle out of the mare Lamara, nicely put away the favourites Sharjah and Crystal Diamond when making all the running in the Mothers Love Handicap over 1 100 metres. (LY)
